With the race returning after a two-year absence due to the pandemic, Leclerc was in complete control of Albert Park in front of a packed crowd enjoying the return of the races. With 420,000 people in attendance, it was the biggest sporting weekend in Australian F1 history, surpassing even the 356,000 at Silverstone last year. The victory extended Leclerc’s lead at the top of the league after three rounds with 20 more scheduled. Leclerc now has 71 points, Russell is in second place with 37, with Verstappen at 25 now and behind Hamilton, who has 28 points. This is Leclerc’s fourth victory and his second this season after winning the flag in the first race in Bahrain. Combined with the latter in Saudi Arabia, it is an extremely strong opening for him and his team. Having won the pole with a strong lap, he went on to prove that he has the lead in racing. This is the beginning of a season that Ferrari can only dream of, which takes place with an almost carefree indifference. The opening for Ferrari with two wins from three races is exactly what Scuderia demanded and a statement of intent that can not be ignored. They are leading the fight for the title and, with a flawless performance in Australia, it is clear that they will win. Leclerc was from the end. He made a clean start to maintain his lead. Hamilton was decisive off the line, overtaking Norris and then rising from inside Perez for third in the first corner. The race was quickly halted in the third lap, however, when Carlos Sainz left, sparking him in turn nine and urging the safety car. Leclerc kept his place for the restart in the seventh lap, with Verstappen firmly in his tail, but Ferrari with a heavy fuel load suffered from heavy seals. Pérez in a much faster Red Bull returned to Hamilton, winning again the third with ease in the run to turn three in the 10th lap. Quick guide
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Thank you for your response. With the car underneath, Leclerc immediately took advantage of the pace Ferrari had shown over the weekend. He opened a two-second gap from Verstappen, as the Dutchman reported that his tires were bulging. By lap 13 he was more than five seconds on the road, while Hamilton and Russell were fourth and fifth in front of the two McLaren, already in a different race, 15 seconds away from the lead. Mercedes had a good racing pace and better balance than before at the weekend. The race was completed in the early stages, with Leclerc in complete control of the fresh air. Red Bull pitched Verstappen for the hard tire in the 19th lap, hoping for a more competitive pace than the new tire. Hamilton had closed with Pereth entering the pit on lap 21, with Mercedes winning for the first time this season as they were able to challenge a Red Bull on the track. Max Ferstappen (left) stands and watches the judges judge the fire in his Red Bull car. Photo: Clive Mason / Getty Images Ferrari made a stop for Leclerc in the 22nd lap, Hamilton followed him. The British rhythm was strong in the last laps before the stops and came out in front of Pérez, but the Mexican hit fast to take the place again. Their race was halted when the safety car was called in the 24th lap after Sebastian Vettel turned and crashed on the 4th lap and Mercedes took advantage of it immediately, putting Russell in third place ahead of Hamilton and Pérez. On the restart, Leclerc was caught by Verstappen before the Ferrari man quickly confirmed his dominance. Three seconds away from lap 32 and setting recurring faster laps, Leclerc finally remained indifferent. Russell had held on tight to Pérez for third place, again optimistic at Mercedes until the Mexican finally made it to lap 36, with Russell knowing he was using his tires to drive defensively. However, the drama was in the aftermath of Leclerc. Verstappen had looked stable for at least second place only to give up as his car left in lap 39, with a possible hydraulic problem. Red Bull has a fast car without a doubt, but a frustrated Verstappen knows he can not afford to lose points with reliability problems. The midfield had fitted tightly during the race, albeit somewhat ambiguous, but Leclerc remained in his own category, 20 seconds away from the flag. He was flawless in the last third and made the fastest lap to seal his place as the clear champion of the championship. Daniel Ricciardo was sixth for McLaren, Esteban Ocon was seventh for Alpine, Valtteri Bottas eighth for Alfa Romeo, Pierre Gasly ninth for AlphaTauri and Alex Albon an impressive 10th for Williams.
